Planoqkaph co



R. J. WOOD.

CREDIT FILE.

APPLICATION man JULY 20.

Patented Aug. 12; 1919.

7 SHEETSSHEE T 1.

R. J. WOOD.

CREDIT FILE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 20, l9l5. 1,313,150. v Patented Aug.12,1919.

ISHEETS-SHEEI 2.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAFH CO" WASHINGTON, D. 'C.

R. J. WOOD.

CREDIT FILE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20. I915.

Pdtented Aug. 12

7SHEETSSHEET 3.

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CREDIT FILE.

N FILED JULY 1 ,313,150. PatentedAug.12,1919.

ISHEETS-SHEET 4.

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CREDIT FILE.

' JULY 20; 1915. 4 1 ,313,1 50. Patented Aug-12,1919.-

- ISHEETS-SHEET 5.

R. 1. W001). CREDIT FILE.

l APPLICATION FILED .IULYIO, I915- 1 ,3 1 3, 1 50. Patented Aug. 12,1919.

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APPLICATION FILED JULY 20.19I5.

Patented Aug. 12, 1919.

TSHEETS-SHEET 7- mini) STATES "PATENT OFFICE.

RODNEY J. WOOD, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

CREDIT-FILE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented Aug. 12,1919.

Application filed July 20,- 1915. Serial 310. 40,827.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RODNEY J. W000, citii zen of the United States,residing at Day-- ton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Credit- Files, ofwhich the following isa specification.

My invention relates to filing systems and apparatus and moreparticularly to what is known to the trade as a credit file especiallyadapted for the use of retailmerchants in keeping systematic records ofbusiness transactions. The object of the invention is to simplify thestructure as well as the means and mode of operation of such deviceswhereby they will not onlybe cheapened in construction but will be moreefficient in use, positive in operation, capable of being easily andrapidly operated, and unlikely to get out of repair.

A primary object of'the invention is to provide full and completeprotection against the dishonesty of employees or the accidental loss ofrecords of sales or other data by rendering the information of datacontained "on sales records or other filed matter quickly in weight,pleasing in appearance, and flexi ble or elastic in character to permitthe filing of sales records or other data under a few or a great manydifferent titles or headings and to further permit the filing of asingle record slip or data sheet or a great many of such slips or sheetsin each account or under each heading. 7

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view, as willmore fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of thefeatures of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and themode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described andset forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of theassembled apparatus. Fig. 2 is an interior side view of the same viewedfrom the right in Fig. 1. Fig 3 is a. perspective view of a single fileunit comprising a temporary file sectlon and a permanent file sectionconnected one to the other to move in unison as hereinafter deporaryfile and the permanent :file.

scribed. In thisfigure the permanent-file sectlon has been partly brokenaway to show n-section the nested arrangement of the leaves or holders.andthe frame therefor.

identification card. F iggB-is :a detail-view of the locking deten't'and means for releasing' same. Figs. 7 to L6, inclusive, illustrate=modifications of the device.

Like parts are indicated by 7 similar characters of reference throughouttheseveral views.

The apparatus forming the subject matter hereof comprises two' filebodies which for' convenience willbezreferred to as thetem Thetemporaryfile is at all timesaccessibleto the clerks and receives thesales slips for; the day at the time of the "transaction; Thepermanent'fi-le isnever accessible to the clerks. Tothis file the salesslips aretransferre'd from the temporary-file by: the proprietor orother authorized personat :the end of business each day.Thecorresponding members of the'two fi-le bodies are so connected'onewith the other that they-will move in unison. Theconstruction-is suchthat when the temporaryfile is open to a certain account or headinguthe,permanent file is automatically opened to the same account or headlng.The=permanent-file is lnclosed in a. suitable locked: housing which willpermit the contents of the permanent file to be observed but whichprevents direct .access thereto except by an authorized person.

By this. construction the clerk Ifiay ascertain instantly the totalamount due. upon any ,customers account by looking in the permanent filewithin the inclosing housing but a dishonest clerk is prevented fromremoving any part of thecustomers previous sales slips either as a favorto thecustomer or after having collected payment for the full amount dueto avoid the necessity for accounting forall of the receipts and thusenablehim toretain a portion for himself.

The fact that the credit sales for past bust ness are maintained in alocked inclosure accessible only to the ;.proprieftor or .dulyauthorized person insures that the merchant will receivethe value ofeach account.

The apparatus thus protects every credit sales record against accidentalloss or intentional abstraction and obviates the necessity oftransferring the record of credit sales to a ledger or other permanentaccount book. The proprietor is by this means enabled to instantlyascertain the condition of his business by observing the permanent filefor the totals of amounts due from various credit customers and byobserving the temporary file for the business done during the day. Toascertain the present day business it is not necessary with thisapparatus to examine each and every credit account but the temporaryfile automatically indicates those credit customers waited upon and inwhose accounts additional credit transactions have been made during theday. The merchant is therefore saved the time and labor of examiningaccounts in which no transaction has been recorded and his examinationis confined entirely to accounts active during the day. It not onlyenables the merchant to ascertain quickly and easily the total amount ofcredit business transacted but it also saves time and labor in takingoff the balance of these credit sales at the end of the day. Thus, ifonly twenty five of a total of one hundred credit customers have hadcredit transactions during the day the merchant takes his balance fromonly twenty five accounts and is not compelled to examine the remainingseventyfive inactive accounts. The file is in normally locked conditionand when so locked the contents of the file are masked or covcredthereby preventing a customer or other unauthorized person fromsurreptitiously examining the credit accounts of other customers orremoving from the file credit slips of their own account, therebyreducing the actual amount payable to the merchant. In order to furtherdiscourage unauthorized opening of the file an alarm is provided whichindicates to any one within hearing the fact that the file has beenreleased, and separate registers are provided for each clerk to indicatethe number of times the file has been opened, and an additional counterindicates the number of times the permanent file has been opened. Thefile is designed to afford ease and rapidity of operation and to thisend it affords a constantly Visible index of the customers accountsrendering it unnecessary to refer to a separate index. Being ofcomparatively small size and light in weight it is easily moved from oneplace to another. The sales slips being inclosed within a metalliccasing or housing are not only protected against loss or abstraction butare also protected against loss by fire.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is the housing or case divided by atransverse partition 2 into two compartments 3 and 4. The housing 1 ispreferably, though not necessarily, constructed of metal and is providedwith a locked closure 5 for the compartment 3. The compartment 3 isadapted to contain the permanent file, the contents of which may beobserved through a glass panel 6 in the closure 5. In order to provideadditional illumination within the compartment the side panels 6 of thehousing may likewise be formed of glass, if so desired. The closure 5 isprovided with a slot or contracted opening 7 at its forward edgeregistering with a pocket 8 formed upon the inner side of the partition2 through which may be deposited C. O. D. slips or record slips or datasheets other than credit slips.

The compartment 4 at the forward end of the housing is adapted tocontain the tem porary file and is open at its front and top to permiteasy access thereto. The units or sections and cover or mask arenormally latched or temporarily locked to prevent tampering with thecontents. These are easily and quickly released by keys or buttonshereinafter described.

The closure 5 is preferably hinged and is normally locked by anysuitable rorm of locking means such as is indicated at 9. An operationcounter 10 is provided by which is indicated the number of times theclosure 5 is opened.

The temporary and permanent files comprise an equal number of swingingsections or frames each having thereon a plurality of retaining devicesor holders for the sales slips. The corresponding sections or units ofeach file are connected one to the other to operate in unison. Theswinging sections or units 11 of the temporary file unit are preferablymounted in stepped or spaced relation each succeeding frame or sectionbeing pivoted in a plane higher than the preceding section whereby thesections or frames are made to overlap, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and2. Each of these frames or sec tions comprise a fiat plate 12 hinged orpivoted upon transverse trunnions 13. Attached to the face of each unit12 are a plurality of overlapping leaves or holders l t, one for eachaccount carried by the unit. These leaves or holders are attached to theplate 12 at one edge only and are capable of being flexed outwardagainst the tension of the material. Beneath the overlapping leaves orholders 1 1 there is provided a projecting shelf or ledge 15. Theconstruction is such that the sales slips or data sheets may be thrustbehind any one of the series of leaves or holders where it will be heldby the tension of the leaf with its lower edge resting upon the shelf orledge 15.

Inasmuch as it is intended that the sales slips or data sheets shall betransferred from the temporary file to the permanent file at the end ofeach business period, it is not necessary that these holders shall be ofgreat capacity. A capacity of a few sales slips or sheets'will be *foundsufficient for ordinary conditions of use.

In usingthe device a leaf or holder is allotted to each credit customerand the customers name is preferably attached at the upper edge of theexposed portion of the leaf. This may be done by pasting or gluing slipsof paper or cards to the'face of the leaf or the leaf may be providedwith a panel in which a card or piece of paper containing a name maybeengaged. In Fig. 5 there is shown in detail a simple construction forretaining the name card or identification tag in place. In thisconstruction the leaf is perforated to form a rectangular panel,.thematerialremoved being bent rearward and thence upon itself in adirection parallel with the plane of the leaf-to form two oppositelydisposed u-shaped bights 16 in which the edges of the card'orindentification tag may be engaged.

A mask or cover 17 comprising a flat plate is pivotally mounted at thefront of the housing and is adapted to cover the initial unit or sectionof the'temporary file series. The cover 17 and the temporary file units11 may be oscillated about their pivotal connections, as indicated inFig. 2. Each unit in the file is independent of every other unit of thesame file. The construction is such, however, that the oscillation ofany unit of the series necessarily causes the oscillation of all theunits inadvance of'that selected, while those to the rearthereofremainat rest. Inasmuch as each unitextends slightly above the preceding unitthe name cards or identification tags'carried by the consecutive unitswill be exposed, as

shown in Fig. 1, therebyforming a convenient index by which anyparticular account may be quickly located.

The permanent file units located within the compartment 3 comprise aplurality of units or sections 19 to which are attached a plurality ofoverlapping leaves 20 between which the sales slipstransferred from thetemporary file are engaged in the manner before described. Inasmuchasthe permanent file contained in the compartment 3 receives the salesslips representing more or less extended business periods, the capacityof the holders or retaining devices for sales slips must be greater thanthose of the temporary file. Each permanent file unit comprises a mainframe or housing-21 having a dependent flange 22 at its top edge forming a stop for the leaves 20. At one end it is provided with a fixedplate 23 against which the terminal leaf 20 of theseries bears. Toafford greater capacity the leaves or holders 20 are offset, asindicated at 24. The wing portion of the leaf at the inner side of theoffset 24 is attached to -the back ofthe the same order.

respective sections or units. -ment is suchthat the first un1t orsection of Like the leaves of the holders of the temporary file units,those of the permanent file units are also provided with name cardsoridentification tags. The accounts of the temporary and permanent filesare arranged in corresponding relation. That is, each particularcredit'customers account is found in the identically same position .in boththe temporary and permanent files. The first unit or section of thepermanent file contains the same accounts or headings as the first unitor-section of the temporary file and these accounts or headings arearranged in Likewise the accounts and order of arrangement thereof uponthe second unit or section of the temporary file are identical withthose upon the second section:

of the :permanent file. The corresponding sections or units of thetemporary and permanent files .are connected one to the other byintermediate connecting links 26 pivotally connected at opposite endswith their The arrangethe temporary file is so connected with the firstunit of the permanent file, the second unit of the temporary file withthe second unit of the permanent file, etc. There is provided for thepermanent file a cover plate or mask 27 pivotally connected at 28 andconnected with-the mask or cover plate .17 of the temporary file by aconnecting link 29. These links 26 and 29 extend through suitableopenings inthe partition 2 and serve to oscillate the units or sectionsof thepermanent file in unison with the oscillation of the correspondingunits or sections of the temporary file. It is to be understood that thetemporary file contained in compartment 4 of the housing is at all timesaccessible to the clerk while the compartment 3 is maintained lockedthereby rendering the per-.

manent file inaccessible except by the operation of the temporary fileas described.

To insure that both the temporary and permanent files are closed aftereach operation, springs 30 are attached to the opposite sides of themask or cover 27 of the perma nent file. The mask is operated in theopening movement against the tension of the springs 30 which ten d toreturn the mask .or cover 27 andwith 1t alloperated sections or units tonormal position upon their release. The mask or cover 27, beingconnected as before described with the cover or mask 17 of the temporaryfile, said covers or masks operate in unison. The units or sections ofthe temporary file, being likewise under control of the cover or mask 17during the closing movement and further connected with the correspondingunits or sections of the permanent file, the units of both files arereturned to normal position in unison.

To prevent tampering with the contents of the tile by unauthorizedpersons and to prevent the surreptitious examination of accounts bycustomers or others, there is provided a latch or look adapted to holdthe file members in closed position. This latch or look comprises apivoted arm 31 attached to the lower front portion of the partition 2,the upper end of which extends through a suitable keeper 32 and isadapted to engage a lug or shoulder 33 upon the link 29 connecting thecovers or masks 17 and 27. The construction is such that so long as theup-- per end of the detent arm 31 is in engagement with the shoulder 33the covers 17 and 27 cannot be drawn forward. Therefore the several fileunits are held in normal or closed position.

To disengage the detent and release the file unit, there is providedupon the exterior of the main housing a depressible button or key 3%having a stem 35 engaging a lip or flange 36 upon the detent arm 31. Inthe drawings there have been shown three of these buttons or depressiblekeys lettered respectively A, B, and C, any one of which is adapted tocause the disengagement of the detent arm from the shoulder 38 torelease the file units. In the present construction a separatedepressible button or key is provided for each clerk, viz: one for clerkA, another for clerk B, and a third for clerk C.

In order to record the number of times each clerk has manipulated thefile there is provided adjacent to each of these buttons a counter 37,the actuating shaft of which is provided with a' bifurcated arm 38 engaging a stud or pin 39 upon the stem 35 of the corresponding button orkey. The construction is such that at each depression of the key orbutton the corresponding counter will be caused to add one to the totalshown upon such counter or vregister. In order that a particular clerkkey or button may not be employed (luring his absence each key or buttonis provided with an independent lock 39 by which any or all of the keysmay be locked against operation.

It is obvious that in lieu of the separate keys each of which is adaptedto independently operate the detent, the said keys or buttons may beassociated with combination look mechanism whereby the keys must beoperated in a predetermined order or in certain con'ibinations in orderto release the file units. Such particular lock mechanism, whiledesirable, is not essential to the suc cessful operation of the file andforms no part of the present invention other than as hereinafter setforth in the claims.

The operation of the device is follows: Assuming that clerk A is aboutto make a credit sale to the customer Jacobs, the clerk will press hisrelease button marked A at the left of the cabinet which will oscillatethe detent arm 31 out of engagement with the stop or shoulder 33 uponthe link 29 connecting the masks 17 and 27 and at the same time willoscillate the operating lever 38 of the corresponding counter to add oneupon the register corresponding to the key or button operated. Havingthus unlocked the temporary file, he will open the said file at theproper point as indicated by the position of the name of the customer inthe index formed by the projection of the identification tags of eachunit beyond the margin of the preceding unit. In the present instance hewill draw forward the mask 17 and first two units of the series to eXpose the account holder or leaf previously assigned to the customerJacobs. The forward movement of the mask 17 and initial file units ofthe temporary file cause a like movement of the mask 27 andcorresponding file units of the permanent file contained within thecompartment 3 beneath the locked transparent cover. The correspondingholder or leaf assigned to customer Jacobs in the permanent file is thusexposed and the clerk by looking through the transparent cover of thecompartment 3 ascertains from the footing of the uppermost sales slip inthe permanent file that the total of customer J acobss credit purchasesto date is eight dollars and ninety-eight cents. The clerk then carriesthis total eight dollars and ninety-eight cents forward onto the currentsales slip preparatory to entering thereon the customers presentpurchases.

The present purchases entered upon the sales slip are added to theprevious footing and the sales slip is then inserted in the properholder or leaf of the temporary file. Likewise when customer James makesadditional purchases the clerk, opening the file in the manner beforedescribed, ascertains by looking through the transparent cover of thecompartment 3 that the total of customer J amess purchases to date isthree dollars and four cents. He enters this sum, three dollars and fourcents, at the top of the sales slip and adds thereto the items of hispurchase, which as shown in Fig. 1 amount to thirty seven cents, makinga total of three dollars and forty-one cents which footing .he entersupon the sales slip and places this slip in the proper holder or leaf ofthe temporary file. If a customer appears during the absence of theproprietor and wishes to pay his account, the clerk'b'y opening the fileto the proper placemay as certain from the footing shown through thetransparent top of the permanent'file the total of suchcustomersindebtedness. For instance, he might ascertain that customer Joy is indebted to the amount of ten dollars and forty-five cents.If"c-ustomeifJoy"paid five dollars on this account the clerk ,would makeout a credit slip for'th'e five dollars, showing the balance due of'fi've dollars and forty-five cents which credit slip he would place inthe temporary file in the usual man-- ner. He cannot, however, gainaccess to the permanent file to remove therefroin'any of J oys salesslips. He must account for the five dollars collected for if he shouldfail to do so and fail to place the credit slip in the temporary filethe customerJoy, learning that he is still charged with the full amount,would present his receipt and insist upon proper credit being given. Ifthe clerk should place the credit slip in the temporary file but fail toaccount for the money the proprietor would necessarily discover'thediscrepancy in taking ofithe'balance" for the business of the day. Thecash received on credit accounts must always equal thec'r'e'dit slipsfound in the temporary file. The use of the locked permanent fileprevents the clerk from abstracting sales slips from the account ofcustomer Joy to the amount of five dollars which would leave thecustomers account in proper balance, thus enabling the clerk to retainthe amount received on account for his own use." At theend of thebusiness for the'day the proprietor or other authorized person, byexamining the sales slips inthe credit file, may ascertain the total ofthe business for that day. Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen thatthis can be readily done as the file instantly shows that transactionswere made in the credit accounts of customers Horn, Hays, Jacobs, James,Koors and Kist and also as clearly shows that no transactions occurredin the accounts of customers Hand, Joy, Cain and Kemp. Therefore theproprietor will disregard the last mentioned accounts and will confinehis attention entirely to those accounts in which sales slips have beenentered in the temporary file. Having ascertained the total of thecredit business transacted during-the day and that the cash on hand frompayments on credit accounts balances with credit slips which may beplaced in the temporary file during the day, the proprietor will thenunlock the cover of the permanent file and transfer each credit slipfrom the temporary file to the-corresponding holder or leaf of thepermanent file, thus leaving the temporary file empty at the beginningof each business period. The proprietor may at any time ascertain thetotal of outstanding accounts by observing the footings ofthe variousaccountsthrough the transparent cover of the permanent file and addingthereto the ness period represented by the sales slips in the temporaryfile. Under ordinary circumstances the temporaryfile holders or leaveswill contain 'but a single sales slip or at most a very few sales slipsconcerning several transactions during a single business period. Suchsales slips, when few in numher, are less likely to become lost ormisplaced than when. large numbers of sales slips are open for removalor examination by any person who may desireto do so. In the'pres'entconstruction all sales slips ex cept those for current transactions aremaintained in the locked compartment which amount of transactions of-thepresent busiprovides absoluteprotection against the dishonesty ofemployees and against accidental loss or displacement of the slips.While these sales slips may be removed only by the proprietor or otherauthorized person, the total of the previous sales 'is instantlyascertainable by" any clerk" who may be authorized to receive money .on*accountor for the purpose of carrying such footing forward tocurrent'sales slips. By preventingthe removal of the sales slipsrepresenting' previousflpurchases from the file the incentive fordishonesty is removed as the clerk must necessarily account to theproprietor for any credits shown by creditslips in the temporary fileand must account to the customer for failure to make such credit entryas will reduce the total of the past account which he is preventedflO1TlIGCl11C ing by'removal of sales slips.

While the construction shown in Figfl has been found to'be a convenient,economical and efiicient arrangement, itis obvious that the severalparts may be differently arranged in relation one with the other. Forexample, the temporary and permanent files may be arranged either oneabove the other or side by side with the temporary file on either sideof the permanent file. Likewise, in lieu of pivoting the file units foroscillatory or swinging movement, the file units .may be connected oneto the other for slidthe corresponding units of both series. The units-11 comprising the permanent file are contained within the lockedtransparent closure or housing 13 and are oscillated by the oscillationof the temporary file units 4:0, the movement of which is transmitted tothe corresponding permanent file units through the common shaft 52.

In Fig. 8 there is shown a modification in which the temporary units orcarriers l-i are supported upon oscillatory arms connected to and movingin unison with the permanent file units or carriers 46 contained withinthe transparent inclosure or housing 17. The construction is such thatthe permanent units or carriers 46 within the housing are oscillated toand from nor mal position by the oscillation of the correspondingtemporary carriers or units ist, the movement of which is transmittedthrough the oscillatory arms 45.

In Fig. 9 there is shown a structure differing somewhat in appearancebut embodying the same elementary features before described. In thisconstruction the carriers or units are arranged in horizontal positionand separated into two stacks as and 49. The stack 48 comprises thetemporary units or carriers which are arranged to slide horizontallyinto and from normal position within the stack in a manner similar tothe movement of a desk or table drawer. The permanent file units orcarriers 51 contained in the stack a9 are connected with thecorresponding units 50 of the temporary series by intermediate links orrods 52. The stacks 18 and 49 of units or carriers are separated onefrom the other and a transparent locked housing or inclosure 53 isinterposed therebetween. The construction and arrangement is such thatthe withdrawal of any unit or carrier 50 from the stack 18 will causethe withdrawal of the corresponding units or carriers 51 from the stack49 into a position to be observed within the housing or inclosure 53-.

In Fig. 10 there is shown a construction having the general appearanceof that disclosed in Fig. 1 and heretofore described. However, in lieuof the oscillatory units or carriers of the primary construction, thetemporary units 5% and permanent units or carriers 55 of the presentconstruction are adapted to slide to and fro and the corresponding unitsof the respective files are connected one to the other by intermediatelinks or rods 56. The construction is such that upon drawing forward anyunit or carrier 5% of the temporary file the corresponding unit orcarrier of the permanent file will likewise be drawn forward. The unitsor carriers are thus given a rec-iprocatory movement to and from normalposition in lieu of the oscillatory movement before described.

In Fig. 11 there is shown a further modification in which the leaves orholders for the sales slips or data sheets are carried uponrollers ordrums 57 and 58 mounted upon a common shaft. The drum 57 com.- prisesthe temporary file while the drum 58 which is inclosed within atransparent locked housing or inclosure 59 constitutes the permanentfile. By the rotation of the drum 57 to bring the desired account toposition to be seen the drum 58 within the housing is likewise rotated.These drums 57 and 58 may be extended to any desired length and therebymade to carry any desired number of accounts or separateclassifications. Likewise the drums may be made with any number of sidesthereby providing additional series of holders.

In Fig. 1 there is shown a modification of the construction shown inFig. 11 in which the drums 57 and 58 are arranged in parallel relationand are rotated in unison by means of a belt or chain 60 engagingsprocket wheels or pulleys 61 upon the shafts of the respective drums.In this construction, as in Fig. 11, the drum 58 constituting thepermanent file is inclosed within a transparent locked housing 59.

In Fig. 13 is shown a construction which may be substituted for thedrums 57 and 58 in either of the constructions shown in Figs. 11 and 12.In this modification the main shaft 62 is provided with disks or collars63 rotating therewith in which are pivoted at 64: the units or carriers65. The carriers or units 65 are each provided with a spring 66 whichtends to oscillate the carrier or unit 65 about its pivotal connection6% from the position shown in solid lines to that shown in dotted linesat the left in said figure. The shaft 62 is rotated by manual effort tobring the desired unit or carrier into position to be seen. The rotationof the shaft presents the carriers or units successively against astopor detent 67 by which the units or carriers are arrested while the shaft62 and disk 63 continue to rotate, thereby turning the unit or carrier65 about its pivotal connection 64 and placing the spring 66 undertension. As the shaft 62 and disk 63 continue to rotate the forward unit65 will be withdrawn from beneath the stop or dete'nt 67 whereupon thespring 66 will operate to turn the unit or carrier downward to theposition indicated by dotted lines, thereby exposing the next succeedingunit or carrier. Each unit or carrier is limited in its oscillatorymovement under the influence of the spring 66 by its engagement with theshaft or trunnion of the next succeeding unit or carrier as shown aboutthe lower portion of said figure.

In Fig. 14 there is shown a construction somewhat similar to that shownin Fig. 1 in which, however, the carriers or units 68 oscillate uponvertical axes. The units or carriers 68 comprising the permanent fileare inclosed within a transparent locked housing 69 and are connected bylinks 70 with corresponding units or. carriers 71 constituting thetemporary file.

WVhile the overlapping spring leaf holders heretofore described inconnection with'Fig. 1 are preferable, it is obvious that other forms ofholders such as resilient wire loops 7 8, Figs. 1a and 15, may beemployed in lieu thereof. Likewise in lieu of the overlappingarrangement of the sales slips or data sheets the said sheets or slipsmay be spaced one from the other upon the carriers or holders, as shownin these figures.

In Fig. 15 there is shown a transparent locked housing or inclosure 7 4having therein a. plurality of oscillatory carriers or units 75 eachprovided with a handle 76 projecting through an arcuate slot in thehousing by which said units or carriers may be oscillated from avertical or upright to hori zontal or reclining position. In lieu of thetemporary file of like construction, there is shown in this figure asimple and well known form of stick file 77 upon whichthe sales slips ordata sheets may be temporarily placed and from which they may betransferred to the permanent file comprising the oscill. tory units orcarriers 75.

While in each of the constructions heretofore referred to a'single'housing or inclosure is provided for the plurality of units or carriersconstituting the permanent file, it is obvious that each of these fileunits or carriers may be provided with a separate cover or inclosuresuch as the cover leaf 78 of transparent material shown in Fig. 16.

It is obvious that this filingdevice, particularly when constructedsimilar to the forms shown in Figs. l, 7, 9 and 10 may be mounted as adrawer in a desk or cabinet to slide :to and fro or it may be anindependent structure as shown in the drawings. It is desirable but notessentialthat a cash drawer to receive the amounts paid on accountbeprovided in conjunction with the file devices herein disclosed.

While this invention has been described particularly in connection witha credit sales transaction, it is to be understood that it is notlimited to such use but may be applied to other purposes than theprotection of credit accounts such as library records, stock invoicesand similar purposes. It is furthermore to be understood that it is notlimited to the filing of credit sales slips but for some classes ofbusiness it may be desirable to employ instead of a sales slip a card onwhich is entered the customers ledger ac- .count which is carried in thepermanent file upon which amounts may be entered from slips placed inthe permanent file. By such use of ledger cards the transfer would bemade in writing in lieu of the physical transfer of the slips from thetemporary to the permanent file. This system would enable the clerk toexamine the'entire ledger account of the customer without being able toremove said card or make erasures or changes thereon.

Referring to Fig' 2, there is shown upon themask 27 an arm 79 adapted totrip a spring actuated hammer 80 causing it to engage the bell 81 tosound an alarm whenever the file is opened. T he arm 79 also closes anelectrical contact 82 to complete a circuit from the battery 83 or othersource of electrical energy through the lines 8 1 to a lamp 85 which maybe located in any convenient position to illuminate the permanent fileunits.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable but which obviouslyis susceptible of modification in its form, proportion, detailconstruction, or arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to certain structuralfeatures, it is to be understood that the means and construction hereindescribed comprise but one mode of putting the invention into effect andthe invention is therefore claimed broadly within any of its possibleforms or modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: V

1. In a filing device as described, a plurality of movable file unitsseparated into two series, connections between the corresponding unitsof the separate series whereby said units willcmo've in unison and aprotective inclcsure for one of said series of file units, the otherseries of-file units being free for access. V

2. In an appliance of the character described, the combination of twogroups of movable units or carriers of like number, the said groupsbeing adapted to removably support corresponding sets of data sheet, andconnecting means between correspond ing units or carriers of the twogroups whereby the movement of any one of the units or carriers of onegroup produces movement of the corresponding unit or carrier of theopposite group so that the corresponding data sheets of the two sets aresimultaneously exposed, and a protective housing inclosing the units orcarriers of one group which permits the observation of the data sheetscarried thereby but prevents the removal, transposition or insertion ofdata sheets into the units or carriers of such group while the othergroup of units or carriers is open and exposed for ready access.

3. In a filing device as described, a plurality of movable file unitsseparated into two series, a housing inclosing one series of units, andmeans for simultaneously operating corresponding units of both series.

at. In a filing device, a housing separated into two compartments, atransparent clo sure for one of the compartments, a series of movablefile units in each of the compartments and interconnections between thecorresponding units of the separate series whereby the operation of afile unit of one series will cause a simultaneous movement of thecorresponding unit of the other series.

5. In a filing device as described, a plurality of movable filing unitsarranged in pairs, interconnections between the members of each pairwhereby they will move in unison, and means for normally rendering onemember of each pair of units inaccessible, the other member of each pairof units being always accessible, for the purpose described.

6. In a filing device, two series of file units comprising a temporaryand a permanent file adapted to contain separated portions of the sameaccounts or data classifications the corresponding units of therespective series being fixed in relation one with the other, and anormally locked housing inclosing the permanent file preventing accessthereto while permitting the observation of the contents of said file.

7. In a filing device, a series of temporary file members, and a seriesof permanent file members, corresponding units of the respective seriesbeing arranged in constant relation one with the other, and means fornormally preventing the removal of the contents of the permanent filemembers while permitting observation thereof.

8. In a filing device, two series of movable file units the members ofwhich are mounted for like movement and interconnections between thecorresponding file units whereby the operation of a file unit of oneseries will cause the simultaneous movement of the corresponding unit ofthe other series through a similar path of travel.

9. In a filing device, two series of file units comprising a temporaryand a permanent file adapted to carry separated portions of the sameaccounts or data classifications arranged therein in correspondingorder, interconnecting means between the corresponding units of thetemporary and permanent files, whereby the exposure of the contents of aunit of one file will effect the simultaneous exposure of the contentsof the corresponding unit of the other file, and means for normallypreventing the removal of or additions to the contents of the units ofthe permanent file.

10. In a filing device, a normally accessible temporary movable file,and a normally inaccessible permanent movable file to which the contentsof the temporary file are transferred, and means for operating saidfiles in unison.

11. In a filing device, a normally accessible temporary movable file,and a normally inaccessible permanent movable file to which the contentsof the temporary file are transferred, and interconnecting means tooperate the permanent file by the operation of the temporary file.

12. In a filing device, a normally accessible temporary file, and apermanent file adapted to contain separated portions of the same accountor data classification, a normally locked housing having an observationspace therein inclosing the permanent file, and interconnecting meanswhereby the contents of the respective files may be eX- hibited inunison.

13. In a filing device as described, duplicate file units movable inparallel relation one to the other and interconnecting means foroperating one file unit by the operation of its duplicate.

ll. In a filing device, duplicate file bodies one of which is normallyaccessible and the other of which is normally inaccessible for removaland insertion of data sheets, each adapted to carry separated portionsof the same accounts or data classifications, and means for operatingthe file bodies in unison to simultaneously display both portions of thesame accounts or classifications carried by the separate file bodies.

15. In a filing cabinet, a main frame, a plurality of swinging unitsmounted therein for oscillatory movement about horizontal axes, and aplurality of overlapping flexible leaves arranged in a horizontal seriescarried by each unit and attached thereto adjacent to the underlyingedges of the leaves between which data sheets may be inserted with their-vertical marginal portions exposed.

16. In a filing device as described, a plurality of file units separatedinto two series, connections between the corresponding units of theseparate series, whereby the movement of one of said units controls themovement of the corresponding unit of the other series, and a protectiveinclosure for one of said series of file units, the other series of fileunits being free for access.

17. In a filing cabinet, a plurality of units mounted therein foroscillatory movement about horizontal axes, a plurality of over--lapping leaves arranged in horizontal seties carried by each unitbetween which data sheets may be inserted With their vertical marginalportions exposed.

.18. In a file as described, a plurality of movable units, a pluralityof data sheet holders arranged in horizontal series carried by eachunit, a plurality ofidentification tags carried by each unit, oneidentification tag being associated with each holder, each unit beingnormally extended beyond the margin of the preceding unit to display theidentification tags carried there by when the said units are in closedrelation.

19. In a file as described, a plurality of in-v dependently movableunits, a l plurality of vertically disposed overlapping leaves carriedby each unit between which data sheets may be inserted, anidentification tag for each data sheet holder, the units being normallyarranged in overlapping relation whereby the identification tags of eachunit will-benormally displayed 20. In a filing device as described, aplu rality of oscillatory units separated into two series, and operativeconnections between 1 correspondlng units of the separate serles ing theinitial unit of the series, and a retracting spring actuating the maskto returnthe operated units to normal. V

23. In a filing device two separate file members in which are normallyconcealed separated portlons of. the same account or' dataclassification, and means forautomati cally exhibiting the contents ofone file member upon the exhibition of the contents of the other filemember whereby the separated portions of the same account or dataclassi-- fication will be simultaneously displayed.

24. In a filing device as described, twofile units, a movablemask foreach unit, and interconnections between the masks whereby said maskswill be movedin unison.

25. In a filing device as described, two file units, a movable mask foreach unit, and

means for simultaneously withdrawingboth masks to expose the unitsconcealed thereby.

26. In a filing deviceas described, two file units, a movable mask foreach unit, and an intermediate connection whereby one mask will beoperated by the operation of the other.

27. In a filing device, twoseries of oscillatory file units, each seriesof units carry-- ing a plurality of accounts or data classificationsarranged in corresponding order, one series constituting a temporaryfile and the other a permanent file, intermediate connections' betweencorresponding units of the separate series whereby said units will beoperated in unison, and means for normally preventing the abstraction ofdata sheets from the units of the permanent file but adaptedto permitthe observation of said data sheets within the said file, substantiallyas specified. V

28. In a filing device, a locked housing, a plurality of. normallyinaccessible movable file units within the housing, a plug ralityo-foverlappingleaves arranged in horizontal series carried by each unitbetween which data sheets may be inserted with the vertical marginalportionsthereof ex posed, an observation space in said housing throughwhich'the exposed vertical marginal portionsof the data sheets may beobserved,

and means extending tozthe exterior ofthe. 7

housing for presentingthe file units to. view.

29. In afiling device, a series of normally concealed file compartments,a movable mask for the said file compartments, means for rendering thecontents of the file compart ments inaccessible, and. means for movingthe mask to expose the contents otthe file.

to view while maintaining them -inaccessible. 30. In a filing device anormally accessible file member, a normally inaccessible file member andintermediate operating means for exhibiting the -contents oftheinaccessible .fileupon. the exhibitionof the contents of theaccessible-file. V J

.- 81. In a filing device,:a series of file compartment's, and a.transparent cover there-. for through which the contents of the compartments maybe observed but adapted to prevent the removal of saidcontents, a second 'serles of file compartments correlated with thefirst mentioned series, and

means for simultaneously displaying the con-.1

tents of complementary compartments 32. In a filing device two series ofcorrelated file members, means for rendering the contents of the filemembers of one series in-.

accessible for removal or addition, and

means for simultaneously displaying the con-' respective series. 1 v

33. In a filing device as described, a plurality of movable carriers, alocked housing tents of. complementary file members of the inclosingthev carriersuand havingan obser-' vation' space therein tliroughl whichthe cori-= tents of the carriers may beobserv'ed, and an independentoperating member for -each-car.- rier extending to the exterior of thehousing and moving through paths of. travel similar tothe paths oftravel of the correlated carriers for moving the carriers sub stantiallyas specified.

3%; In a filing device a main frame, a support mounted therein foroscillatory movement about a horizontal axis, a plurality of overlappingleaves carried by SBJCl support, said leaves being arranged in ahorizontal series with each succeeding leaf extending laterally beyondthe preceding leaf of the series thereby forming a succession of pocketsor receivers for data sheets open on their lateral or vertical sides,where- I by the vertical marginal portions of the data inserted thereinwill be exposed to nected to and moving in unison with the os-'cillatory arms, said units being separated into two series, and a lockedhousing having an observation space through which the contents of theunits may be observed'inclosing one series of units, the. constructionbeing such that the oscillation of an arm will simultaneously oscillatecorresponding units of both series. Y

37. Ina filing device, a plurality of filing units arranged insubstantially upright position and separated into two series and eachcapable of a lateral movement, intermediate connections between thecorresponding units of the respective series whereby said correspondingunits "will move in unison and meansfor preventing the removal of thecontents of the units of one series.

38. Ina file device a housing, a plurality of swinging file unitspivoted therein upon horizontal axes to swing forwardly and rearwardly,said swinging units being normally positioned in echelon, whereby thetop or free edge of each unit will be exposed beyond the edge of thepreceding unit, a plurality of containers for data sheets arranged in ahorizontal series upon each of said swinging units, the data. sheetcontain ers of each succeeding unit being concealed by the precedingunit of the series and identification means pertaining to each containercarried upon the exposed portions of the swinging units whereby thecontainers and contents thereof are normally concealed from view whilethe identification means pertaining to such containers is normallydisplayed when said plurality of file units are in their closedrelation.

89. In a filing device as described, a plurality of movable filing unitsarranged in pairs, inter-connections between the members of each pair,whereby the movement of one unit of a pair will control the movement ofthe other unit of the same pair, and means for normally rendering onemember of each pair of units inaccessible, the other member of each pairof Lmits being always accessible for the purpose described.

40. In a filing device, two series of mov able file units, members ofwhich are mounted for like movements, and inter-connections betweencorresponding file units of the respective series whereby the operationof each file unit of one series will control the movement of thecorresponding unit of the other series.

41. In a filing device, two series of file units comprising a temporaryand a permanent file adapted to carry separated portions of the sameaccounts or data classifications arranged therein, in a correspondingorder, interconnecting means between the corresponding units of thetemporary and permanent files, whereby the exposure of the contents of aunit of one file will control the exposure of the contents of thecorresponding unit of the other file, and means for normally preventingthe removal of, or additions to the contents of the unit of thepermanent file.

42. In a filing device, a normally accessible, temporary movable file,and a normally inaccessible, permanent, movable file to which thecontents of the temporary file are transferred, and interconnectingmeans to control the operation of the permanent file by the operation ofthe temporary file.

l3. In a filing device as described, duplicate file units movable inparallel relation one to the other and interconnecting means forcontrolling the operation of one file unit by the operation of itsduplicate.

44:. In a filing device, duplicate file bodies onefof which is normallyaccessible and the otherof which is normally inaccessible for removaland insertion of data sheets, each adapted to carry separated portionsof the same accounts or data classifications, and means for operatingthe file bodies to display both portions of the same accounts orclassifications carried by the separate file bodies.

45. In a filing device as described, a plurality of oscillatory unitsseparated into two series, and operative connections betweencorresponding units of the separate series whereby said correspondingunits will be oscillated to display corresponding accounts or dataclassification.

46. In a filing device as described, two file units, a movable mask foreach unit, and means for controlling the movement of one of saidmasks bythe operation of the other mask.

47. In a filing device, a series of file compartments, and a transparentcover therefor through which the contents of the compartment may beobserved, but adapted to prevent the removal of said contents, a secondseries of file compartments correlated with the first mentioned series,and means for displaying the contents of the complementary compartments.

48. In a filing device, a plurality of oscillatory arms, a plurality offile units connected to and moving in unison with the oscillatory arms,said units being separated into two series, and a locked housing havingan observation space through which the contents of the units may beobserved disclosing one series of units, the construction being suchthat the oscillation of an arm will oscillate corresponding units ofboth series.

49. In a filing device, tWo series of file units comprising a temporaryand permanent file, and a normally locked housing inclosing thepermanent file and preventing access thereto, and means permitting theobservation of the contents of said file controlled by the operation ofthe temporary file.

In testimony'whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 17th day of July,A. D. 1915.

RODNEY J. WOOD.

Witnesses:

ALFRED MoORAY, CARRIE M. BECKER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0.

